Abstract

This study examined the social backgrounds and career paths of Seonjeongwan nominees during the reign of King Yeongjo in Korea based on the Seonjeongwancheongcheonan (Register of Seonjeongwan Nominations), cross referenced with other historical sources, such as military examination rosters (Mugwa Bangmok) and the Seungjeongwon Ilgi (Diary of the Royal Secretariat). The Yeongjo era serves as a crucial benchmark for research on Seonjeongwan nominations due to the institutionalization of relevant regulations and the abundance of surviving records. On average, Seonjeongwan nominees during the Yeongjo period passed the military examination at approximately 30 years of age. However, nominees from Namhangcheon were nominated as Seonjeongwan around the age of 24 years while those from Chulssincheon were nominated around the age of 32 years. The fathers of the Seonjeongwan nominees were most commonly officials holding the title of Tongdeokrang, but excluding this, Namhangcheon fathers were more often Busa or Byeongsa whereas Chulssincheon fathers were more likely to be Yuhak or Haksaeng. The nominees were most frequently recorded as Hallyang or Tongdeokrang; excluding these, Namhangcheon nominees often served as Seonjeongwan or Naeseung while the Chulssincheon nominees were frequently Chunguiwi guards or military Bujang. Among the 127 clan names recorded for the Seonjeongwan nominees, the Jeonju Yi, Pyeongsan Sin, Andong Kim, Yeoheung Min, and Jeonui Yi clans were the most common, with the Namhangcheon nominees particularly concentrated in powerful regional families, such as the Jeonju Yi and Jeonui Yi clans. Geographically, most nominees resided in Seoul, with the Namhangcheon nominees showing a significantly higher concentration in the capital than the Chulssincheon nominees. Regarding the types of military examinations, while both the Namhangcheon and Chulssincheon nominees predominantly passed various special examinations (Byeolsi), the proportion of such cases among the Namhangcheon nominees was approximately 15% lower than that among the Chulssincheon nominees whereas the Namhangcheon had a 20% higher success in the regular triennial examinations (Siknyeonsi). The average percentile rank among the military examination passers was 48.4, with the Namhangcheon at 47.2 and the Chulssincheon at 48.7, showing no significant differences. Among the 2,099 Seonjeongwan nominees analyzed during the Yeongjo period, 66.5% passed the military examination, 52.4% held Seonjeongwan positions, and 48.1% served in posts within Hunryeonwon; Dochongbu; and Jungchubu. However, advancement to high-ranking military posts was rare; only 9.5% became Susa or Byeongsa, 1.7% became Tongjesa or Tongoeosa, and 1.8% became Daejang. The Chulssincheon nominees tended to enter lower-ranked positions whereas the Namhangcheon nominees were more frequently appointed to higher military offices, revealing an evident distinction between the two groups. Notably, among the Namhangcheon nominees who had passed the military examination (133 individuals), 75.2% were appointed as Seonjeongwan and 76.7% served in Hunryeonwon; Dochongbu; or Jungchubu, indicating significantly higher advancement rates than the overall Seonjeongwan group. Those who served as Seonjeongwan or were in these central military institutions were 3–12% more likely to advance to other posts, achieving 15–40% higher rates than the overall Seonjeongwan average. While high-ranking officers, such as Susa, Byeongsa, Tongjesa, Tongoeosa, and Daejang, had lower military exam pass rates than the average for all the Seonjeongwan nominees, over 95% had served as Seonjeongwan or in central military agencies, a rate more than double of the overall average. This underscores that for Seonjeongwan nominees during the Yeongjo era, experience as Seonjeongwan or in Hunryeonwon; Dochongbu; or Jungchubu was a more critical factor for advancement to high-ranking military posts than merely passing the military examination . This study examined the social origins and career trajectories of Seoncheon officials during the reign of King Yeongjo to elucidate the institutional significance of the Seoncheon service, Seonjeongwan appointments, and related military offices, including Hunryeonwon, Dochongbu, and Jungchubu, within the bureaucratic framework of the Joseon dynasty in Korea.